Within recent years, mainstream popular culture has turned much of their attention to promoting healthy food choices. When I open my TikTok page, I scroll through countless videos created by influencers, dieticians, and even regular people explaining “gut health” and the importance of putting natural, unprocessed foods into your body. I most definitely subscribe to this lifestyle as frequently as possible, and truly believe that making clean food choices positively impacts one’s overall wellbeing. However, the buzz surrounding healthy food choices has also made me consider: what about the things we put ON our bodies? The deodorant, the shampoo, the mascara, the blush, the lip gloss, and the list goes on. A “citizen’s petition” filed with the FDA led to a recall of antiperspirant deodorant and body sprays from over 30 household brands, namely Old Spice and Secret (CNN). The petition cites that over half of the batches tested contain a cancer-causing substance called Benzene. This example is one of many, and I encourage readers to further investigate class action lawsuits filed against TresemmĂ© and other similar companies. Moreover, it is important to note that the United States is far more lenient when it comes to approving substances and chemicals in their products than other nations, like France and the U.K.Â
Some of the big name brands have been establishing a foothold in the clean beauty industry through major distributors like Sephora, Ulta, or Target. However, it is important to consider the impacts of financial backing and reputation. For example, the allegedly clean, non-toxic lines of Bare Minerals and Cover Girl have recently come under fire, and their parent companies, Coty and Shisiedo, were sued for misleading customers (HBW Insight). It was discovered that their “clean” products actually do contain harmful ingredients known as PFAS. Speaking from personal experience, I suggest shopping small will bring you the cleanest, most natural products on the clean beauty market. A friend of mine recommended an app called “Think Dirty,” in which you can obtain a comprehensive list of ingredients and the level of toxicity products may contain. Additionally, the app provides brand suggestions and allows users to select brand categories that are: women-owned, black-owned, vegan, cruelty-free, and low-waste (to name a few). Overall, I believe that it is important that as a society we prioritize the quality and sustainability of the ingredients these wealthy brands put in our products, and start paying attention to the substances we put on our bodies.Â